Project ID: 2008MS73BTitle: Multi-scale Evaluation and Analysis of Precipitation Patterns over the Mississippi DeltaProject Type: ResearchStart Date: 3/01/2008End Date: 2/28/2009Congressional District: 3rdFocus Categories: Water Quality, Climatological Processes, HydrologyKeywords: watershed management, water resources developmentPrincipal Investigator: Dyer, Jamie Federal Funds: $ 12,658Non-Federal Matching Funds: $ 40,650Abstract: The Mississippi River floodplain in northwestern Mississippi, often referred to as the Mississippi Delta, is extremely important for regional economic stability and growth due to the widespread agriculture in the area. The region is unique in that there are currently three sources of precipitation measurements available: (1) radar-derived precipitation estimates from National Weather Service (NWS) NEXRAD network, surface observations from NWS recording stations, and surface observations from US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) recording stations. In terms of water resource management and climatological precipitation research, quantitatively defining the biases associated with available precipitation data sources is critical in choosing which source to use for a given application. Additionally, due to the importance of precipitation in agriculture along with recent drought in the Mississippi Delta region, precipitation patterns should be reevaluated in terms of duration frequency, and extent. The inclusion of long-term data from surface gages along with shorter-term but higher resolution radar-derived rainfall estimates allow for a detailed analysis of past and current precipitation trends. This will lead to a better understanding of rainfall trends and patterns and potentially better prediction of future rainfall.